• 

• Tweet

With Apple delaying iPhone 5 (or iPhone 4S depending on who you talk to) and turning WWDC into a software only affair, many tech pundits have been pondering what Steve Jobs will unveil to to the world.

While there is debate on whether iPhone 5 will be another “giant leap” or merely a spec refresher, there are a few features Apple needs to implement upon iOS 5 in order to challenge Android for smartphone dominance.

Choose Thy Browser

Although mobile Safari is a decent browser, truth be told it pales in comparison to what third party rivals offer (like SkyFire who offer iOS fans the ability to view flash videos).

Instead of clicking on a link within an app and being greeted by mobile Safari, it would be great if users could select to have their third party browser open up instead.

Update iOS Over WiFi

Apple currently is the only major smartphone company who forces users to physically connect their device to a PC in order to receive the latest update.

Even though updating through the PC is preferable over the wireless carrier’s network (who have a habit of delaying updates, if they install them at all), Apple should consider updates over WiFi networks as a decent alternative.

Doing so would prevent Apple from having to make concessions to the carriers (who would leverage this against Apple) without forcing users to boot up their PC to install iOS security updates.

There’s A Map For That

Similar to the browser scenario, it would be great if users could choose alternative map programs (like TomTom, Mapquest, etc.) as the default instead of Google Maps.

While Google Maps is great, the default app looks incredible basic compared to what’s offered from rivals due to the fact that it’s tied into the DNA of iOS.

Note: if Google could frequently update their default app, this wouldn’t be an issue, although the app is looking rather stale when compared to what’s available upon the App Store.

Delete Default Apps

After one encounters the glories of the App Store, some of Apple’s default apps pale in comparison to what’s available via third party apps.

Default apps like Weather, Stocks and Contacts (note: why did Apple even make the latter as their Phone app does the same thing?) become more or less irrelevant in the face of third party competition.

Instead of taking up dead space, it would be great if users could remove these apps in order to help free up folder and screen space for more useful apps (like Weather.com, Bloomberg, etc.).

Not So Pushy Push Notifications

This last one is a given, and one that I expect Apple will change, as the current system is too disruptive (especially when you’re in an app).

If Apple could develop a system similar to MobileNotifier (as shown in the video below), it would make push notifications a much more pleasurable experience.

What Would You Add?

For those of you who love their iPhones, what features would you want Apple to add once iOS 5 rolls out to the world? Feel free to share your opinions with the rest of us below!

Image Credits: iPhone Download Blog, Geek Alerts, MapQuest, Apple

• 

• Tweet